South Western Railway (SWR) has announced a £400,000 investment in 15 community projects through its Customers and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF) with 4 local projects set to benefit. With a further £400,000 in match funding, it takes SWR’s total investment through CCIF to more than £7.5 million since 2018. The 2024/25 CCIF scheme supports projects that will provide a local community benefit or address an area of social need. Funding has been awarded to a wide range of activities, from developing a new community centre that will encourage exercise and healthier living in Pinhoe, Devon, to teaching cycling mechanics to under-represented groups in Hounslow, London. Individual CCIF grants range from just a few thousand pounds to tens of thousands. On the Isle of Wight, £3,300 has been awarded to Vectis Radio, for an initiative that helps young people build their confidence and improve their communication skills by learning the key areas of radio communication. A share of £8,830.40 to the Isle of Wight Council who – along with the Community Rail Partnership – intend to produce a promotional film that will highlight rail safety. The film will be shared with year 10 pupils in 10 different Island schools. Ryde Town Council is to receive £9,275 to help offer cookery lessons to the community, whilst Suit Yourself – a 10 week self-esteem course for vulnerable women – has received £12,810 to continue their work in the community. All of the projects to be awarded funding, which have been submitted by charities, community groups and local authorities, will be completed by the end of April 2025. Peter Williams, South Western Railway’s Customer and Commercial Director, said:
“We’re proud to support this year’s 15 projects through our CCIF fund, which from 2018 has awarded more than £7.5 million in funding to over 100 projects that share our vision of seeing local communities thrive. “From community hubs and cycle clubs, initiatives that promote physical well-being, to funding full-time outreach workers, CCIF provides investment for important local projects that make a real difference to people in towns and villages across our network. “Every year we’re inspired by the passionate people and hard work that go into each of these projects and we really look forward to seeing the results that the completed projects will have in their communities.”
How about keeping there money and using it to run a Railway
Dale Hillier, who helps the island veterans should have been given some
Under represented people in Hounslow??!! Would that be white, working class?
Spend the money on your crap railway, maybe?